Letters to the Editor

We’ve been watching the documentary about the national parks on NPT. It is truly one of the most inspirational and informative shows on television.

They call the parks America’s best idea — to save and preserve these magnificent natural monuments for everyone, forever. But they also tell what it took to keep these places from being destroyed by people who wanted to cut down the sequoias, kill all the buffalo and dynamite the waterfalls.

It makes you think how fast we have to move to keep things from being used up — like our mountains being blown up for coal and what that’s done to towns in east Tennessee. It took a lot of regular Americans insisting to Congress that they didn’t want the Smokies logged and mined, and it seems like we’re going to have to get together and do the same thing right now if we’re ever going to get clean energy ways to run the country without ruining our rivers and hills.

Sen. [Lamar] Alexander seems to want to move in the right direction, maybe Sen. [Bob] Corker too — but nothing’s going to happen to clean it up if we don’t let them know we want it now.

145 Comments on this post:

Well, I'm off to assist with another study...I'll check back around 3:30.
Try to keep it clean...

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 10:57

Fascinating. Even when I'm not here, you feel the need to insult. You're obsession with me is rather amazing, gdia and blanket.

Dragon,
There should be NO contest...the Constitution overrides state and local law, period.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:03

I've been looking at how a list of Hollywood elite are attempting to defend, and demanding release of, Roman Polanski.

Lord, I have NO idea how they can possibly do that and look themselves in the mirror in the morning! The guy drugged and raped/sodomized a 13 year old girl when he was 47!

Heaven help them if a list is ever developed showing just WHO is supporting this jerk!

By:Dragon on 9/30/09 at 11:04

Chief, they just got ticked off because I interrupted their booger jokes and poop jokes.

Why is the USSC even accepting this case? Like I said, thank goodness we still have a conservative court.

By:Dragon on 9/30/09 at 11:05

Can you believe that Whoopi Goldberg said it wasn't "rape rape"? Is some rape better than others?

By:Funditto on 9/30/09 at 11:14

I was wondering the same thing chief. No need to politicize it. Or have the talk jocks already begun?

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:21

Dragon,

The only reason I can determine is that the SCOTUS is trying to put this question to bed permanently. One could always hope, I imagine.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:24

Funditto,

I have no idea about the talk jocks...I was just searching to see if any list existed. I wanted to pass it around so everyone would know WHO is supporting this jerk. I know Debra Winger is as is Monica Bellucci and, I guess if you consider what she said, Whoopi Goldberg - although I expect Whoopi to backpeddle as fast as she can shortly. And, of course, Woody Allen does too.

Should be interesting to see who thinks they can take the heat that inevitably will come to support this guy...frankly, I would be amazed at their arrogance if they do, after the first ones get burned for it.

By:gdiafante on 9/30/09 at 11:25

"Chief, they just got ticked off because I interrupted their booger jokes and poop jokes."

Really? Ticked off? Ummmmmm...nice try but no.

Yes, we like making fun of you two jokers. Thanks for playing. Oh, and get a room.

Blanket, bunga bunga please.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:26

Dragon,

What I thought was TRULY astounding is, when someone (sorry, can't remember who) on the View asked her would she be upset if her 13 year old was having sex with a full grown adult man, Whoopie said "not necessarily"! HOLY CRUD! That is REALLY telling to me.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:28

Dragon,

Don't worry about interrupting them. Since all they seem to want to do is make fun of others, it's probably all they can come up with to do. We can discuss other, more relevant things.

By:gdiafante on 9/30/09 at 11:29

Exactly Chief, you two can get a room. Duh...you're as bright as a cave.

By:gdiafante on 9/30/09 at 11:30

And...you two watch the View...lol

lol

lol

and you wonder why we make fun of you...bwahahahahahaaha!!!!

By:MamaG on 9/30/09 at 11:31

But do you think it's okay that Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13 year old cousin??????

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:33

MamaG,

Nope...I do not.

By:Dragon on 9/30/09 at 11:38

Neither do I. I read about it on the CNN website.

And, speaking of which, did you notice their article about illegal aliens not accepting the hospital's free ride home?

Undocumented patients wary of offers to return to home countries
For years, he has taken her to a dialysis clinic attached to a public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The facility that gave her free care plans to close Saturday.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/22/illegal.immigrants.healthcare/index.html

Seems some hospitals are going out of business because they provide care for illegals. Strange, coming from CNN.

By:MamaG on 9/30/09 at 11:44

Have any of you seen the books on East Nashville and on Inglewood being sold around? Our local Walgreen's and other local businesses have them for sale. I have both and they have some really cool pix, info in them. Interesting...if you have a chance to look at them, do so!

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:54

Dragon,

What's really sad is, there will most likely be more and more of these hospitals going out of business because of having so many who cannot pay.

But that's what happens when the patients who can't pay outnumber those who can, I guess.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 11:57

MamaG,

No but I used to live in that area quite some time ago. Some places in the vincinity are nice...some not so nice...same as anywhere else, I imagine.

By:MamaG on 9/30/09 at 11:58

Yup, same as everywhere else...good books though, if you like that type of history.

By:slacker on 9/30/09 at 12:03

MamaG, I was born and raised in East Nashville, and would be interested in those books, which Walgreen store is selling them?

By:Funditto on 9/30/09 at 12:11

Yes, chief. It would be sad if that people couldn't pay. Do you think illegals are the only ones going to hospitals that can't pay?

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 12:22

Funditto,

No, but I suspect if we got rid of the illegals, it would help the situation a great deal, don't you think? What was the last estimate? 12 million illegal aliens in the US...and that's just a good guess.

As for the others, I have already suggested widening the parameters of Medicaid so they could have some kind of health coverage to my Congressmen...although I seriously doubt they considered it.

By:Dragon on 9/30/09 at 12:29

Chief/Funditto,

Widening the parameters of Medicaid is a reasonable way to increase coverage, however, Medicaid is currently paying more than its revenues. To increase the Medicaid population would require additional revenues (increased FICA taxes). Obama already said that was unacceptable.

By:Funditto on 9/30/09 at 12:34

Increased FICA on the ones that could afford would be OK with me if it meant that those who need help, get it (no, that doesn't include legals) and those that do have insurance, don't go bankrupt paying out-of-pocket co-pays or get dropped when they get sick or change jobs.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 12:34

Dragon,

I'll grant you that it's revenues would have to be increased...BUT if you consider the current system is already in place, the system is already in use and that everyone is already onboard with it, simply increasing it's mission would be far more economical than creating a new computer system, new bureaucracy, a new set of rules and implementing all of this change in the long run.

If we are looking for the most economical way to resolve the problem, this is the best one I can come up with. Hey, if someone has a better idea, I'm listening. So far, all the ones I've heard are FAR more expensive and do relative the same if not less than what I have proposed.

Oh and both Obama and Pelosi said this was unacceptable anyway.

By:brrrrk on 9/30/09 at 12:36

Funditto said

"Yes, chief. It would be sad if that people couldn't pay. Do you think illegals are the only ones going to hospitals that can't pay?"

Thousands get free medical care at event

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7034143

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 12:38

Funditto,

"Increased FICA on the ones that could afford would be OK with me if it meant that those who need help, get it (no, that doesn't include legals) and those that do have insurance, don't go bankrupt paying out-of-pocket co-pays or get dropped when they get sick or change jobs."

Why not just a general increase of FICA on everyone who pays on it? Everyone pays more, rather than "those who could afford it"? After all, every pays it now, right?

By:gdiafante on 9/30/09 at 12:39

"If we are looking for the most economical way to resolve the problem, this is the best one I can come up with. Hey, if someone has a better idea, I'm listening. So far, all the ones I've heard are FAR more expensive and do relative the same if not less than what I have proposed."

Hilarious....absolutely hilarious.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 12:40

brrrrk,

"Thousands get free medical care at event"

Isn't it interesting it was a charity which did this?

"The National Association of Free Clinics decided it was time to hold a massive free clinic at Houston's Reliant Center. "

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 1:05

Funny that Blanket agreed with me on the Medicaid thing...that it was a good idea, anyway.

By:MamaG on 9/30/09 at 1:12

slacker, I've seen both at the Inglewood Walgreen's (corner of Greenfield and Gallatin) and the EN (corner of Chester & Gallatin). You'll fork out over $40 for both of them though, just to let you know. I got the EN one at a yard sale so it only cost me $1.50 but I paid full price for the other one and for some reason, the Inglewood one cost $21.99 and the EN one cost $19.99. Go figure? I've also heard the Inglewood Hardware has them and some other places in EN. Enjoy if you get them! (You might even get them at your local library)

Where over here did you grow up? What school(s) did you attend?

By:slacker on 9/30/09 at 1:35

MamaG, I was born a poor child, at 213 Boscobel st., that area has long been commercial. Went to Warner elementary school, moved to Inglewood, and graduated from Issac Litton high school. I met Little Richard at that location at Greenfield / Gallatin rd. He had quit music and got religion, and was selling bibles at a store there.
I walked up to meet him and sang out Tutti Frutti, expecting him to come back with, Oh Rudy, he looked at me and said ''are you gonna buy a bible boy''? Lol, that's not book material but you had to be there.

By:MamaG on 9/30/09 at 1:43

slacker, one of my dearest friends grew up on Boscobel, near 11th. I used to work at, and am still a member at Tulip Street UMC, just down the road from Warner. It's a lovely old school and I'm so glad they rehabbed it. Beautiful neighborhood, Edgefield!

I wanted to go to Litton but we moved to Madison then bussing came in so I went to Two Rivers and Neely's Bend for jr high. It sucked big time. Then I graduated from Maplewood.

That is a great and funny story about Little Richard!!! Ooooh!

Do you remember when the ferry was at the end of McGavock Pk and anyone wanting to go to Donelson either had to take that or go all the way down and through town? I remember taking it with my folks. It was fun! It closed in 1965, so I just barely remember it. There was also one at Neely's Bend. Oh for the good old days (sometimes)!!!

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 1:44

LOL

Slacker - "I was born a poor child, in a log cabin, where I had to walk to school, barefoot, in the snow, up hill, BOTH ways."

Sorry Slacker...I couldn't resist! LOL :-)

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 1:48

Funditto,

Interestingly enough, although apparently there are those on this page who laugh, Blanket, who is in the business, thought the Medicaid idea had some merit.

I believe that a combination of that, tort reform, and enforcement of our laws by cracking down on illegal aliens would resolve this problem.

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 1:48

Funditto,

Oh and perhaps some regulation in the insurance industry as well.

By:MamaG on 9/30/09 at 1:51

Have a great evening everyone!

By:chiefpayne568 on 9/30/09 at 1:52

You too MamaG! :-)

By:slacker on 9/30/09 at 1:57

MamaG, I remember it well, Judge Hickman ferry boat was used I believe.
Thanks for info MamaG.

By:sidneyames on 9/30/09 at 2:19

gdiafante, don't invest in Yellowstone, its sitting on a volcano, that will probably erupt the day Sidney retires there. Put your money in a t-shirt store in Gatlinburg like I did. Slacker what do you mean? I love yellowstone and Nashville is sitting on a fault, so with the recent earthquake activity, maybe you should leave town

And BRRRK, you said: People like id, sid, and chief.... you're wrong. And your inability to step into the future, in all ways, will eventually destroy this country. Just because I think Al Gore uses too much electricity, you derived that I don't have the ability to "step into the future". I'm here.

There are countries all over the world that have used the U.S. model of national parks to preserve land for the future. I love that. Of course, if you hike Yellowstone, you'll see wildlife and there is evidence of "man kind" all around. My husband and I always take in two empty trash bags to bag up the coke cans, candy wrappers and trash that unkind, unfeeling, unconscientious hikers from the city leave there.

By:slacker on 9/30/09 at 2:42

Hey sidney, I can't leave town, I owe my bookie to much money.
I believe Nashville sits in a basin not on a fault, you are thinking of the New Madrid fault west of here, Elvis country.
Yellowstone sits on a volcano, and one day will erupt. The day... even slackerdamus does not know, but probably the week you retire there. But maybe not.

By:house_of_pain on 9/30/09 at 2:48

If there are any faults around here, they rode in on the backs of people from the surrounding counties. True Nashvillians have no faults...